NEWS BRIEFS

CARBON REPAIR ON HOLD

A P2.65-million contract awarded to MSDLR Construction for the repair of the roofing of unit I of the Carbon Market cannot be implemented unless the contractor corrects “defects” on the Toong Integrated Elementary School building.

Councilor Roberto Cabarrubias, chairman of the City Council infrastructure committee, said “sanctions” would have to be imposed on the contractor to warn them against implementing substandard projects in Cebu City.

To prevent the implementation of “substandard” projects in the city, Cabarribuias said he would propose that the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) blacklist poorly performing contractors. Cabarrubias said MSDLR Contractor already instructed their structural engineer to identify what needed to be corrected at the Toong school building.

The engineer would then coordinate with the city’s structural engineer consultant for the application of corrective measures on the Toong school building. CHIEF OF REPORTERS DORIS C. BONGCAC

COMMODITY PRICES FLUCTUATE

THE price of sugar decreased by at least P4 per kilo in Taboan market in Cebu City. Brown sugar now costs P46 from P50 per kilo last week while white sugar costs P56 from last wekk’s P60. But the price of flour rose by P2 per kilo.

Market vendor Apa Pugas said since February they have observed decreases in the price of sugar by P1 to P2 per kilo. He said this time of the year is sugarcane harvest season, contributing to the decrease in sugar prices. The price of oil decreased from P30 per bottle to P28.

Department of Trade and Industry in Central Visayas (DTI-7) noted an almost P100 price increase in general flour.

DTI-7 Regional Director Asteria Caberte said that in February the price of one sack of general flour was P835, which rose to P920 this month. Caberte said that the decrease in the price of sugar and cooking oil will not help lower the price of tasty bread. She said the price of flour is way higher compared to the other bread ingredients.

She said they are expecting flour prices to rise further next month. She said the price of flour is dependent on world prices of wheat, which comprises 80 percent of flour. CORRESPONDENT CARINE ASUTILLA

WORKERS PROTEST

MEMBERS of the Ecstasy Fashion Accessories Independent Workers Union held silent protest during their lunch break yesterday outside the firm’s building in Mandaue City.

The workers wore red armbands and carried placards asking management to reinstate union auditor Marieta Rondina and board member Sanny Escoreal who were allegedly illegally terminated.

Rondina has worked for the company in 18 years. Earlier this month she was forced to have an early retirement, protesters said.

Escoreal has been working for the company as a regular employee for eight years. Escoreal said that he had a scheduled vacation last May 9 to May 16 but when he came back to work, he found out that he was already terminated.

Union president Eulogio Bejec said they will only seek the help of the Department of Labor and Employment if their protest will not lead to reinstatement of their members.

Bejec said they fear management will one by one terminate their regular employees for contractual ones. They are also asking the religious sector to help them ensure the security of their jobs.

Management, however, refused to issue a comment. CORRESPONDENT CARINE ASUTILLA